Machine for applying gummed tape to cartons



p 1, 1936- A. F. STAGMEIER MACHINE FOR APPLYING GUMMED TAPE TO CARTONS Filed Oct. 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l Q8 m QM m A M v .0 n R QM wk m o F N E h RN ATTORN EYS MACHINE FOR APPLYING GUMMED TAPE TO CARTONS Filed Oct. 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY s MACHINE FOR APPLYING GUMMED TAPE To CARTONS Filed Oct. 1'7, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M m E7 ATTORNEYS Sept. 1, 1936. F. STAGMEIER 2,052,903

MACHINE FOR APPLYING GUMMED TAPE TO CARTONS Filed Oct. 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY5 Sept. 1, 1936. STAGMEIER 2,052,903

MACHINE FOR APPLYING GUMMED TAPE TO CARTONS Filed Oct. 17, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 0 "llllllllllll ATTORNEY$ Spt. 1, 1936.

A. F. STAGMEIER MACHINE FOR APPLYING GUMMED TAPE TO CARTONS Filed Oct. 1'7. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR ATTORNEY$ Patented Sept. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR APPLYING GUlllMED TAPE T CARTONS Arthur F. Stagmeler, Montclair, N. 1., assignor, by mesne assignments, to B and K Machinery Corporation, a corporation of New York Application October 1'], 1930, Serial No. 489,464 29 Claims. (01. 216-23) The invention relates in general to sealing devices, and more particularly to a machine ior applying gummed tape to cartons and the like.

expeditiously.

Another object of the-invention is to provide a machine in which the several events in the sealing operation are controlled by the movement of the box or carton itself.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will apply the tape to the, top of the box and also, to a desired extent, to the front and back faces of the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will handle different size boxes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine having top and bottom units for applying simultaneously sealing tape'to the top and bottom of the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above kind which is simple in construction, rugged in character, and easy to operate.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description and claims when considered with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a longitudinal section through the machine;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating diagrammatically the operation of the machine on a series of boxes traveling on a conveyor.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of a completed sealed box;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an end view of a machine for sealing the tops of the boxes only;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 'l-'| of Fig. 6;

Figs. 8 and 9 are longitudinal sections through the machine illustrating events in the process of sealing a box;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of tape applying unit for applying tape to the bottom of the box;

Fig. 11 is a'section on the line ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an end view of a modified construction illustrating a sealing machine having top and bottom units for applying tape to the top and bottom, respectively, of the box.

In the following description and in the claims parts will be identified by specific means for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of.the drawings.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, practical commercial embodiments of the invention are shown, but as such illustrations are primarily iorpurposes of disclosure, it will be understood that the structure may be modified in various respects without 10 departure from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined and claimed.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 6, a construction for applying tape to the top of the box only will first be de- 5 scribed. It comprises a traveling conveyor 20 which may be of the endless belt type having a moving endless belt 2| supported by convenient supports as indicated. Alongside the, conveyor 20 is a standard 22 comprising a heavy base 23, supporting a pair of vertical rods 24 on which is slidalgly and vertically adjustably mounted a support 5.

The support 25 may be of any desired construction and in the form shown comprises a pair of channel irons 30 suitably bolted together by plates on the outside to form a hollow box which encloses a nut member 29, through which an adjusting screw 28 is threaded. The tops of the rods 24 are connected by top plate 28 which journals the top of the screw 28, allowing it to, rotate but preventing vertical movement. An adjusting wheel 21 is secured to the screw 28 by the rotation of which the support 25 may be vertically adjusted up and down the rods 24.

Passing through the channels 30, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 7, is a pair of horizontal arms 3| which pass through the supporting plates 33 and 34 of the top unit or head 32, which applies the tape to the top of the box.

It will be understood that the boxes to be sealed, which are indicated by 200, move along the traveling conveyor belt 2] in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3, with the top flaps 20! of the box sticking up as indicated. The boxes 200 first engage a folding top. uide 84 and side guides 36 which have flaring parts to receive the box, guide it and turn down the top flaps 2M.

It will be understood that the box 200 may be of any desired commercial construction having top covers or flaps 2M which are turned down after the box is filled with merchandise and over which the gummed tape 65 is applied, the finished product being indicated by Fig. 4.

For adjustably supporting the side guides 36 angle irons 35 are secured to the side plates 32 and 33. These angle irons 35 adjustably support the side guides by bolts disposed in slots 31. It will be understood that the side guides 36 may be adjusted laterally for different widths of box and the entire head or unit 32 may be adjusted vertically by the hand wheel 21 for diiferent heights of box. The entire head 32 is also adjustable on the horizontal arms 3|.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, the side plates 33 and 34 support a front bracket 38 which comprises an arm 39 secured to a cross bar 40 suitably pivoted between side plates. An upper rod 4| is secured to the bar 39 and passes loosely through an opening in cross bar 412 which is also rotatably mounted between the side plates. Suitable winged nuts or other adjusting nuts 43 are provided for adjusting the height of the bracket 38. F

Pivaedat the front end of bracket 38 at 41 is a pair of arms 44 and 45 having a limiting spacing finger 46 and connected by a coil spring 48 which continually urges the arms 44 and 45 together. These arms carry padded sealing rolls, the front sealing roll being indicated by 50 an d the back sealing roll being indicated by 49T'A weight 5| may be connected to the arm 45 to assist in bringing the arms 44 and 45 back to position for the next box, as will be seen more clearly hereinafter.

For applyingthe tape to the front and top of the box a main tape applying device 5| is provided. This comprises a cross bar 52 suitably pivoted between side plates 33 and 34 and to which are connected sleeves 53, these sleeves being connected by a member 253 supporting a. weight 62. Slidable within the-sleeves 53 are rods 54 connected at their upper ends by cross bar 58. A main sealing roll 59 is journalled at the lower ends of the rods 54. A pair of springs 55 connect the sleeves 53 and adjusting devices 51 which are connected to a cross bar 56 sup-' ported between the side plates 33 and 34. Suitable stop devices '6| are connected to each side plate for limiting the backward movement of the sealing device 5|.

The gummed tape', which may be of any desired paper, cloth or composition type, is indicated by 65 and is wound on the usual roll 63 which is journalled at the top of a support 64 secured to the side plate 34. The tape passes over a suitable guide 265 through a stationary guide 66 supported by a cross bar 266. The tape 65 passes through an opening 68 in a guide member 61, through a second opening 268 and between a tongue 69 and a guide member 19.

For applying moistening fluid such as water to thegum on the tape a reservoir 1| is provided having filling spout 12 and a hinged lid 13 carrying a wick or brush 14 which engages'the tape 65. This reservoir is supported by suitable cross bars as indicated.

For placing the parts in readiness to seal-a box a pair of cam lifters 15 are provided, one on each side and pivoted to the side plates 33 and 34, these cam lifters engaging a cutter member 16. The cutter member 16 comprises a bar 216 on each side pivoted to the side plates at 11 and connected together by a cross bar 215. The cross bar 215 supports a holder shoe 83 which cooperates with the stationary guide 66 to clamp the tape therebetween at the proper time. The

side bars 216 support depending curved members 80 between which is positioned a saw tooth knife 8|; The sidebars 216 also support depending members 18 which may be adjustable along the bars 216, and these members 18 carry rollers 19, one on each side. I

For tensioning knife 8| a rod 211 with a hexagonal part may be provided, being screw threaded into the depending members 88 with right and left hand screw threads respectively. After turning the rod 211 to properly tension the knife 8| the lock nuts 218 may be tightened.

The flap folding guide 84 is conveniently supported by the cross member 284 which also supports the reservoir 1|.

In operation, after the height of the unit 32 is adjusted to the box 288 and the side guides 38 are adjusted to the width of the box, the boxes are placed on the traveling belt 2| which carries them in the direction of the arrows, the boxes, of course, first being filled with merchandise. The top guide 84 gently folds down the covers 2|l| and the side guides 36 center the box with respect to the head 32 in case the conveyor is wider than the particular box. Thebox engages the cam lifters 15 which raise the cutter member 16 to the position shown in Fig. 8. The box then engages the depending end of the tape 65 which is in the position shown in Fig. 1 and then engages the padded roller 59 which firmly, adhesively secures the tape to the front of the box 208.

As the box' progresses, the sealing device 5| which carries the roller 59 swings about its top pivot 252 against the pressure of the springs 55, thus holding the tape in contact with the box until the gum or other adhesive can take hold. As the box proceeds, the roller 59 rides up the front of the box until it reaches the top of the box, when the springs 55 quickly bring the roller 59 to the position shown in. Fig. 9, the rods 54 telescoping up within the sleeves 53. The rolling of the roller 59 along the top of the box secures the tape thereto.

As the box 200 progresses still further, the rollers 19 suddenly drop off the back end of the box and the cutter member 16 suddenly drops by gravity, thus holding the tape between the members 66 and 83 and simultaneously holding the tape against the knife 8|, the position of the cutter 16 being indicated in Fig. 1. The knife, being sharp and being saw tooth, easily enters the tape and severs it as the movement of the box tightens the'tape against the saw teeth of the knife 8|, the tape being stretched between the box on the one hand and the brake shoes 66 and 83 on'the other hand. Soon afterwards the roller 59 also drops over the end of the box to the position shown in Fig. 1.

As soon as the box engages the padded roll 58, the tape at the front side of the box is more firmly secured into engagement with the box, due to the weight'5|. As the box progresses, the roller 50 rolls up the front wall and over the top wall of the box, the spring 48 pulling the roller 49 also down against the box. The arms 44 and 45 are then spread apart quite widely at an obtuse angle with the box therebetween, both rolls 49 and 50 engaging the box. As the box travels under these rolls, the tape is more firmly applied to the box thereby, and as the roll 49 approaches the back of the box, the spring 48 causes it to pass down the back wall of the box and firmly secure the tape to the box at this point. As the box further progresses, the roller 50 drops over the end, these rollers 49 and 50 taking the positions show in Fig. 1-. p

It will be noted that the knife OI cuts the sealing tape in such position that it is in readiness to be applied to the front surface of the next box or container without any special feed whatsoever of the tape.

If it is desired to seal both the top and bottom of the box simultaneously, an arrangement similar to that indicated in Fig. 12 may be used. In this species the conveyor is denoted by I04; and the belt is denoted by I05 and may comprise spaced elements allowing access to the box 300 underneath. In this arrangement, the upper head or unit 32 will again be used and a lower unit I03 will also be provided, located in the position shown. The lower unit I03 is mounted on a pair of horizontal arms I 02 and is adjustable horizontally along said arms in the same manner as upper unit 32. The arms I02 are supported by a lower head I00, which is slidable along the vertical rods 26 and may be clamped thereto, in a position depending upon the height of the conveyor by set screws IOI, this unit being permanently clamped in this position.

It is not necessary to provide adjusting means for the vertical position of the lower head It? since its height will be substantially the same for all sizes of boxes, its position merely depending upon the conveyor.

Mt will be understood that the lower head I03 is directly under the upper head 32 and is similar in construction thereto, the parts being similar but acting in the opposite direction. As the box 300 passes between the heads 32 and I03 on the conveyor belt I05, the upper and lower tapes 65 and I42 are applied simultaneously. It will be understood that the side guides 36 on the upper head will guide the box sufliciently for the lower head, and the only additional guiding device necessary is a rear, flat, folding guide I10 (Fig. 10)

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 10 and 11, lower head I03 comprises side plates I06 and I01, similar to the upper head, these plates being slidably mounted upon the horizontal 'rods I02. A front bracket I08 comprises members I09 and H and is mounted upon the side plates I06 and I01, as indicated. Front arms H2 and H3, pivoted at I II having limiting finger I I and resiliently urged together by spring I I4, and carrying rollers H6 and H1, are also provided. Arm II3 may be suitably weighted to supply the necessary force to be applied to the tape and its normal position is that indicated in Fig. 10.

The main sealing device I20 is provided, comprising a bar 420 pivoted between the side plates at I2I and carrying a pair of sleeves I22. Connected to the bar 420 are resilient springs I33 which are also connected to a part of the frame of the head.

Slidably mounted within the sleeves I22 are rods I23 which carry therebetween a padded roller I32. Collars I3I are positioned on the rods I23 and coil springs I30 act between the collars I 3| and cross bar 420 to normally hold the roller I32 in proper upper position.

A cross bar I24 connects the rods I23 and carries a bearing member I25 which supports a roller I26. A lever 421 is pivoted at I28 and carries an adjustable weight I23 and a curved and I21 which engages the roller I26. The weight I29 assists the springs I30 in holding the roller I32 in upper position and helps supply the force necessary to properly apply the adhesive tape to the bottom of the box. A suitable padded stop I34 may be provided to limit the backward pivotal movement of the main sealing device I20.

The tape reel is indicated by I40 and is sup-.

ported bya depending member I secured to side plate I01 and the tape, indicated by I42, passes between guide rollers I43, stationary guide I44, through openings I46 and I41 in member I45 and between guide I40 and roller I 40.

A reservoir I00 is provided, having a filling pipe ISI, a hinge cover I 62 carrying a wick or brush I53 for wetting the adhesive.

A pair of cam depressers I54 pivoted at I are provided for depressing the cutter member I60. The cutter member is pivoted at I3! and carries an arm I62 which carries an adjustable weight I63 for urging the cutter member upwardly. The cutter I60 carries a saw tooth knife I31 and a movable brake or clamp I69.

The operation of the lower head is substantially the same as the operation of the upper head, and it is thought that it will be clear from the description above, so no further explanation will be given. In general it is not necessary to adjust the several parts for different sizes of box, since the bottom surface of all sizes of box is always in ""1 osition.

From the above description it will be seen that a tape applying unit has been provided which may be used alone for applying tape to the upper sides of shipping cartons, or it may be used with a similar lower head for applying tape simultaneously to both top and bottom of the carton. Furthermore, it will be noted that all of the events of applying the tape are controlled by the movement of the box itself, so that, if desired. boxes of the same height and width but of diflerent lengths may be fed to the machine indiscriminately without any change of adjustment.

In addition, the machine has the feature and advantage of requiring no source of power whatsoever in the unit or head, the power being supplied by the movement of the boxes or containers on the conveyor as they pass the unit or head.

The boxes themselves may be moved through the machine by any power means desired, or, the rack itself or the whole device may be placed on the slant and the weight of the box operates to move it along its carrier.

While certain novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the devices illustrated and in their operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a double, package sealing machine for applying tape to both bottom and top flaps of a container, a travelling conveyor having an opening at the middle seating said container and exposing the bottom flaps through said opening, an upper sealing head above said container, a lower sealing head below said conveyor, and means for applying tape to said upper and lower flaps.

2. In a double, package sealing machine for applying tape to both bottom and top flaps of a container, a travelling conveyor having an opening at the middle seating said container and exposing the bottom flaps through said opening, an upper sealing head above said-container, a lower sealing head below said conveyor, and means for applying tape to said upper and lower flaps, and lateral guide means on said upper head for laterally guiding the container.

3. In a double, package sealing machine for applying tape to both top and bottom flaps of a container, a travelling conveyor having an opening at the middle seating said container and exposing the bottom flaps through said opening, an upper sealinghead above said container, 9. lower sealing head belowsaid conveyor, and means controlled by movement of said container for simultaneously applying tape to said upper and lower flaps.

4. In a package sealing machine, an upper tapeapplying head, said head carrying a roll of tape, cutting devices on said head, applying devices on said head, a travelling ,conveyor under said head for carrying the box to be taped under said head, means controlledby said box for applying the tape to the top of the box and cutting it off, a lower tape-applying head, a second roll of tape on said lower head, second cutting devices on said lower head, second applying devices on said lower head, and second means controlled by said box for applying tape to the bottom of the box and cutting it off. I

5. In a tape-applying machine for containers and the like having top flaps, a movable conveyor, a tape-applying apparatus comprising a standard alongside said conveyor, a support vertically adjustable on said standard, horizontal arms projecting from said support transversely to said conveyor, a tape-applying head comprising spaced side plates through which said arms extend, said head being horizontally adjustable on said arms, adjustable side guides for the containers, and means for adjustably mounting said guides on said side plates to accommodate different size containers.

6. In a tape-applying machine for containers and the like having top flaps, a movable conveyor, a tape-applying apparatus comprising a standard alongside said conveyor, a support vertical- 1y adjustable on said standard, horizontal arms projecting from said support transversely to said conveyor, a tape-applying head comprising spaced side plates through which said arms extend, said head being horizontally adjustable on said arms, horizontal angle strips secured to said side plates, adjustable side guides for the containers secured to said strips, said guides diverging toward the approaching containers.

7. In a tape-applying machine for containers and the like having top flaps, a movable conveyor, 2. tape-applying apparatus comprising a standard alongside said conveyor, a support vertically adjustable on said standard, horizontal arms projecting from said support transversely to said conveyor, and a tape-applying head horizontally adjustable on said arms.

8. In tape-applying apparatus, a support, an arm carrying a tape-applying device, means mounting said arm on said support to pivot about a pivot point and to move lengthwise of itself, yieldable means urging said arm to move lengthwise toward a box to be taped, yieldable means urging said arm to swing back about said pivot point, means moving relatively said support and said box, said device being normally in the path of the box, means for applying tape to the closure surface and front and back surfaces of said box, said device engaging the tape on the front surface as the box progresses, said arm swinging forward about said pivot point until said device reaches the intersection of said front and closure surfaces, said arm then swinging back and moving lengthwise causing, said device quickly to pass along said tape until. the rear-most'position of the arm is reached, said device continuing to engage said tape as said box progresses, riding of! said box and dropping into the path of the next box.

9. In tape-applying apparatus, a support, an arm carrying a tape-applying device, means mounting said arm on said support to pivot about a pivot point and to move lengthwise'of itself, yieldable means urging said arm to move lengthwise toward a container to be taped, yieldable means urging said arm to swing back about said pivot point, means moving relatively said support and said container, said device being normally in the path of the container, means for applying tape to the adjacent surface of said container, said device engaging the front surface of the container as the container progresses, said arm swinging forward about said pivot point until said device reaches the intersection of said front and adjacent surfaces, said arm then swinging back and moving lengthwise causing said device quickw ly topass along said tape until the rear-most position of the arm is reached, said device continuing to engage said tape as said container progress'es riding off said container and dropping into the path of the next container.

10. In tape-applying apparatus, a support, a front arm and a back arm pivoted to said support, front and back tape applying devices carried respectively by said arms, means urging said arms together, means for moving relatively said support and a container to be taped, means normally holding said front device in the path of said container and said back device out of said path, means for applying tape to said container, said front device passing along the front surface of the container to the closure surface as said rela-. tive movement continues, the passage of said front device alongsaid front surface causing said back device to engage said closure surface so that both said devices yieldably engaging said closure surface, said back device passing off said closure surface and over said back surface as said relative movement continues.

11. In tape-applying apparatus, a support, a front arm and a back arm pivoted to said support, front and back tape applying devices carried respectively by said arms, spring means urging said arms together, means for moving relatively said support and a box to be taped, means normally holding said front device in the path of said box and said back device out of said path, meansfor applying a strip of tape to a closure surface of the box and adjoining front and back surfaces, said front device pressing the tape against the front surface, then passing along said front surface to said closure surface as said relative movement continues, the passage of said front device along said front surface causing said back device to engage the tape on said closure surface so that both said devices yieldably engage the tape on sa d closure surface, said back device passing off said closure surface and over said back surface as said relative movement continues.

12. In tape-applying apparatus, a tape applying unit comprising a frame, a main sealing device comprising a sleeve member pivoted to said frame, a rod member within said sleeve and carrying a main sealing roll, means for yieldably urging said main roll in the direction of said rod member toward the container to which the tape is applied, means for yieldably urging said sleeve member about its pivot point toward the approaching container, a tape reel on said frame, a stationarygshoe for said tape, moistening de,-

vices for said tape, guide devices'guiding said tape near said container, a cutter member, a cam member operated upon by the container to withdraw said cutter member, a movable shoe and a knife carried by said cutter member, means holding said cutter member in withdrawn position including an element riding on the container, means for returning said cutter member when said element rides off the container to cut the tape. I

13. In tape-applying apparatus, a tape applying unit comprising a frame, front and back arms carrying rollers and pivoted to the front of said frame, a spring between said arms, a

main sealing device comprising a sleeve member pivoted to said frame, a rod member within said sleeve and carrying a main sealing roll, means for yieldably urging said main roll in the direction of said rod member toward the container to which the tape is applied, means for yieldably urging said sleeve member about its pivot point toward the approaching container, a tape reel on said frame, a stationary shoe for said tape, moistening devices for said tape, guide devices guiding said tape near said container, a

cutter member, a cam member operated upon by the container to withdraw said cutter member,

' a movable shoe and a knife carried by said cutter member, means holding said cutter member in withdrawnposition including an element riding on the container, means for returning said cutter member when said element rides ofi the container to cut the tape, and means for moving said container and unit relatively.

14. In tape-applying apparatus, a tape-applying unit comprising spaced side plates, a front bracket secured to said side-plates, front and back arms pivoted to the front'of said bracket,

a front sealing roll at the end of said front arm, a back sealing roll at the end of said back arm, a spring urging said arms together, a main sealing device comprising a pair of sleeves pivoted between said side plates, rods telescoping in said sleeves, a main sealing roll journalled between. said rods, adjustable springs connecting said sleeves and said side plates, a tape reel journalled to one side plate, a stationary shoe guiding said tape, a reservoir having a projecting wick adjacent said shoe to wet said tape, guide members to guide said tape close to the carton, spaced cam actuators pivoted to said plates at the back and riding on the carton as it is carried thereby, a cutter member pivoted to said plates near the front end, a saw-tooth knife member and a holder shoe carried by said cutter member, said holder shoe cooperating with said stationary shoe to clamp the tape therebetween, rollers journalled on said cutter member near the side plates to ride off the carton and release said cutter member, and a folding guide secured to the back end of said head to turn the flaps of the container.

15. In tape-applying apparatus, a tape-applying unit comprising spaced side plates, a front bracket secured to said side plates, front and back arms pivotally suspended from the front of said bracket, a front sealing roll at the lower end of said front arm, a back sealing roll at the lower end of said back arm, a spring urging said arms together, a main sealing device comprising a pair of sleeves pivoted between said side plates, rods telescoping in said sleeves, a main sealing roll journalled between said rods, a. transverse member carrying a weight tying said sleeves together, a transverse member tying said rods together above their pivot point, adjustable springs connecting said sleeves and said side said tape, guide members to guide said tape close to the carton, spaced cam lifters pivoted to said plates at the back end riding up as the carton is carried thereunder, a cutter member pivoted to said plates near the front end, a saw-tooth knife member and a holder shoe carried by said cutter member, said holder shoe cooperating with said stationary shoe to clamp the tape therebetween, rollers journalled on said cutter member near the side plates to ride off the carton and let said cutter member drop, and a folding guide secured to the back end of said head to turn down the top flaps of the container.

16. An apparatus for-applying gummed tape to three adjacent faces of cartons for sealing the cartons closed, said apparatus comprising a conveyor for constantly feeding the carton to be sealed with one face in advance; means for feeding a strip of gummed tape across the path of the carton with its gummed face in front of the advance face of the carton; means for moistening the tape as it is being fed; pressing means for pressing back the tape as the carton is fed to the lower end portion of the gummed face of the tape, for causing the conveyor to press the face of the carton against said gummed face as far as the'advance edge of the intermediate face of the carton as the carton moves, thereby forcing along said end portion and drawing' along and further feeding the tape; said means for pressing the moistened gummed tape around the advance edge of the carton and across the said intermediate face as the carton moves on, thereby to apply the strip to said intermediate face, means to press the tape around the following edge of said intermediate face and down the following face of the carton as the carton moves; and means for cutting off the strip after the strip is applied to the intermediate face.

17. In an apparatus for applying gummed tape to three adjacent faces of cartons for sealing the cartons closed, said apparatus comprising a conveyor for constantly feeding the cartons to be sealed with one face in advance, means for feeding a strip of gummed tape across the path of each carton with the gummed face of the tape in front of the advancing face of the carton, means for moistening the tape as it is being fed, pressing means disposed in the path of the advancing carton for forcing adherence between the tape and the carton as the carton is fed against the lower end portion of the tape, said means pressing the moistened gummed tape around the advancing edge of the carton and across the intermediate face thereof as the carton moves on thereby to apply a gummed strip to said intermediate face; means to press the gummed tape around the following edge of said intermediate face and down the following face of the carton as the carton moves; and means for cutting off the strip after the strip is applied to the intermediate face.

18. In the method ofapplying adhesive tape to three adjacent faces of a carton for sealing the carton closed which consists in conveying the forward end of a carton into contact with a moistened end of a strip of gummed tape, pressing said tape against said carton face to adhere said tape end thereto, conveying the carton forwardly thereby drawing along more of the moisinto position on the second adjacent face, cutting the tape beyond the length of the second face of the carton, pressing the extra length of tape down the third adjacent face of the carton, and pressing the tape a second time throughout its full length to said carton.

19. In an apparatus for applying adhesive tape to articles, said apparatus comprising means for conveying the article while maintaining the article substantially free from sidewise displacement on said conveyer means, a tape supplying means for fastening the adhesive tape to a leading face of the article while the article is moving, means for supplying continuous tape over an adjacent face of the article while the: article is moving, said fastening means adapted to press the tape to the carton along said adjacent face, means for cutting ofi the tape at a predetermined length beyond the end of the second adjacent face, said fastening means adapted to press the end of the tape extending beyond the second face onto a third face which is adjacent the second face, and a supplemental pressing means for pressing the tape a second time onto the article throughout the full length of the tape.

20. In an apparatus for applying adhesive tape to articles, a tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, a pivoted pressing means for forcing a projecting end portion of said tape into engagement with the leading face of said article and adapted to be pivoted as said article 'moves along until the engaging portion of said pivoted pressing means comes to the top of said article, a resilient means acting to return said pressing means to normal position when said pressing means reaches the top of said article, said pressing means adapted to slide through part of its support against a second resilient means, said pressing means adapted to force said tape onto said article throughout the length of the second face and to move down by reason of said second resilient means along the third and rear face of the article so as to press the trailing end of the tape against the third face of the carton.

21. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a, tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, means for forcing a projecting end portion of said tape into engagement with an advance face of said article as the article moves and for pressing saidtape to said article, and means for cutting off said tape at a predetermined length after the tape has had one part thereof pressed to said article, said forcing means acting to press the trailing end of said tape against the article.

22. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, movable means disposed in the path of the moving article for pressing a projecting portion of tape from said supply to the leading face of the moving article and for pressing tape drawn from said supply along succeeding faces of said article, means for severing the tape to stop withdrawal thereof from said supply, said severing means being operated by reason of the movement of the moving article, said severing means providing a predetermined length of tape for adherence to the last face of said article to be taped and providing a projecting portion of tape from saidtape supply extending into the path of the next article to be taped.

23. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, means for forcing a projecting end portion of said tape into engagement with an advance face of said article as the article moves and for pressing said tape to said article, means for cutting off said tape at a predetermined length, and secondary pressing means for engaging the beginning of said tape and passing across the entire length of the tape for again pressing the tape ontosaid carton.

24..In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, means for forcing a projecting end portion of said tape into engagement with an advance face of said article as the article moves and for pressing said tape to said article, means for cutting off said tape at a predetermined length, and an articulated pressing means having rollers thereon for secondarily and positively engaging the tape and pressing the same to the carton throughout the full length of said tape.

25. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, movable means disposed in the path of the moving article for pressing a projecting portion of tape from said supply to the leading face of the moving article and for pressing tape drawn from said supply along succeeding faces of said articles, means for severing the tape to stop withdrawal thereof from said supply by the moving article, said severing means providing a predetermined length of tape for adherence to the last face of said article to be taped and providing a projecting portion of tape from said tape supply extending into the path of the next article to be taped, and two arms pivoted on said machine and having a resilient member for drawing them together and having rollers on the ends of each arm, the last of said rollers adapted to engage the beginning end of said tape to press it against the carton and to follow across the same, the second roller adjusted to engage the tape at an intermediate point and press it against the-carton throughout the remaining length of the tape.

26. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a supplemental pressing means, including two arms pivoted on said machine, a roller mounted on each arm near the extremity thereof for engaging the tape on said article, resilient means for drawing said arms together, means for holding said arms a minimum distance apart, said rollers adapted to engage and press the tape onto said article throughout its entire length, said resilient means being flexed from its normal position during the pressing operation.

27. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles where the tape is applied to portions of two vertical faces and to an intermediate horizontal face, a supplemental pressing means comprising two pivoted arms, resilient means for pulling the arms together, an arresting means for maintaining the arms at a minimum distance apart, and rollers mounted near the ends of said arms, one of said rollers adapted to engage the tape on the first vertical face of said article as the article is advanced and to roll up that face and over the intermediate face, the other rolle'r adapted to engage the tape at some point along the intermediate face and to press the tape along the remainder of the length of the intermediate face and down the trailing or second vertical face as the article moves through said machine for applying adhesive tape.

28. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, means for forcing a projecting end portion of said tape into engagement with said article as the article moves and for pressing said tape to said article, and means for cutting off said tape at a predetermined length, said cutting-off means acting to engage one surface of the tape as said tape is held taut between said carton and said tape supply and acting to cut the tape while the tape is under tension.

29. In a machine for applying adhesive tape to articles, a tape supply, means for conveying an article to and past said tape supply, means for forcing a projecting end portion of said tape into engagement with said article as the article moves and for pressing said tape to said article, means for cutting off said tape at a predetermined length, said cutting-of! means comprising a knife arranged to fall against said tape as it is held taut between said article and said tape supply and acting to draw said tape into a semi-loop and to then complete cutting the same so that a portion of the tape between the end of the article and the knife is of a predetermined length to engage the article and the length of tape extending between the tape supply and the knife being of satisfactory length to engage the leading face of the following article.

ARTHUR F. STAGMEIER. 

